Analysis Paralysis -

TexasRedNeck · 01-06-2013, 08:36 PM

I just bought a used 2001 LB7 2500 with a 12 inch lift about 3 months ago that had 125k on it. I had no intention of towing anything and then voila! I rented a trailer to take the kids (7&9) and the wife camping. They really liked it more than I expected and I suspect that I am going down the path of doing a lot of RVing in the next 5 years.

I started looking at the bigger bumper pull rigs (the last one was a 10,000 lb 35 ft that I rented). As you can imagine it is not optimal with the lift. Reading that the 5ers are the way to go and that is out of the quesiton with the 12 inch lift.

So that means lowering the truck back to 4inch or stock, changing tires, etc. What can I expect to be able to haul with the 2500 in terms of size of 5er?

The other option is to take it in the shorts and dump the truck and buy a DRW 2009 3500 4WD.

Anyone want to offer some expert advice on whether to re-tool the K2500 or just take the hit and get a K3500 DRW?

Thanks in advance. I'm new to the tow life, and it seems that lifts and towing are not exactly compatible for serious towing.

DMAXLTZ09 · 01-06-2013, 09:12 PM

We have a 28' bumper pull w slide out and it is fine for four of us. We don't travel long distances with it though. IMO the dually and 5th wheel would be the way to go if traveling long distances.

stang233 · 01-06-2013, 09:26 PM

10k toy hauler and its barely even noticeable behind me with the lmm

premis · 01-07-2013, 09:06 AM

If you tow a lot, get a dually. If this is a weekend thing or even a once a month thing and you use your truck as a daily driver, keep the SRW and buy a camper it can haul.

With a SRW you should be able to safely tow upwards of 16,000 lbs. Just keep an eye on pin weight, toy hauler type trailers have heavy pin weights unloaded.

nick1camper · 01-07-2013, 09:14 AM

I totally agree with premis.

TexasRedNeck · 01-07-2013, 04:59 PM

I only put about 6K per year on my truck. My DD is a sedan. I need to check the GVWR on the sticker to see what I can haul. Mine is a 2500 so I'm sure it will be a bit lower.

Oh, and I did drive a 2012 k3500 LTZ DRW today just to see how it drove and it drove reeeally nice. Nothing that 48K won't fix! Plus I'd take it in the shorts on my "new" 2001 K2500HD after just having a new CP3, AD165, Autometers, Calvin's built trans, and Kory Willis EFI with DSP instgalled.

**bluessmax** · 01-07-2013, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasRedNeck

I only put about 6K per year on my truck. My DD is a sedan. I need to check the GVWR on the sticker to see what I can haul. Mine is a 2500 so I'm sure it will be a bit lower.

Oh, and I did drive a 2012 k3500 LTZ DRW today just to see how it drove and it drove reeeally nice. Nothing that 48K won't fix! Plus I'd take it in the shorts on my "new" 2001 K2500HD after just having a new CP3, AD165, Autometers, Calvin's built trans, and Kory Willis EFI with DSP instgalled.

How's that trans treatin ya? :-)

Kory

Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

bubblebutt · 01-07-2013, 06:42 PM

35 footer with 2 kids , thats not camping,
Just 4 of you, I would go a bit smaller and tow behind... and leave truck alone

TexasRedNeck · 01-07-2013, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluessmax

How's that trans treatin ya? :-)

Kory

Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

Bro the tranny aint bad. I don't drive it much so it is still learning I think. the 3/4 upshift seems quite a bit harsher than the 1/2 and 2/3 when I'm rolling into it. The tunes are sick. I have to keep remebering that I can't even roll into it good on "5" with out serious axle wrap. I need to get traction bars quick if I keep it.

Thanks for the help on it. Who knows? If I get the 2012 dually, I'll have to be back for new tunes!

TexasRedNeck · 01-07-2013, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubblebutt

35 footer with 2 kids , thats not camping,
Just 4 of you, I would go a bit smaller and tow behind... and leave truck alone

Yeah, you're tellin me? My wife likes to take a small apartment with her.....

I'd be happy with a tent and some sleeping bags, but that ain't flying with the boss.

01-06-2013, 08:36 PM	eBay Motors #1 (permalink)
TexasRedNeck Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 154	Analysis Paralysis - I just bought a used 2001 LB7 2500 with a 12 inch lift about 3 months ago that had 125k on it. I had no intention of towing anything and then voila! I rented a trailer to take the kids (7&9) and the wife camping. They really liked it more than I expected and I suspect that I am going down the path of doing a lot of RVing in the next 5 years. I started looking at the bigger bumper pull rigs (the last one was a 10,000 lb 35 ft that I rented). As you can imagine it is not optimal with the lift. Reading that the 5ers are the way to go and that is out of the quesiton with the 12 inch lift. So that means lowering the truck back to 4inch or stock, changing tires, etc. What can I expect to be able to haul with the 2500 in terms of size of 5er? The other option is to take it in the shorts and dump the truck and buy a DRW 2009 3500 4WD. Anyone want to offer some expert advice on whether to re-tool the K2500 or just take the hit and get a K3500 DRW? Thanks in advance. I'm new to the tow life, and it seems that lifts and towing are not exactly compatible for serious towing. __________________ 2001 CCSB 6.0 Gas wtih 6 inch lift and 35s 2001 CCLWB Duramax with 12 inch lift and 37s & just added a Calvin's tranny with Kory Willis tuned EFI live and DSP5. Both red on charcoal http://i48.tinypic.com/30krtop.jpg

01-06-2013, 09:12 PM	eBay Motors #2 (permalink)
DMAXLTZ09 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Clinton, AR Posts: 117	We have a 28' bumper pull w slide out and it is fine for four of us. We don't travel long distances with it though. IMO the dually and 5th wheel would be the way to go if traveling long distances. __________________ 09 LMM CC/SB LTZ 4WD BLACK, RANCH HAND FRONT, BAK FLIP BED COVER, 17x9 FUEL BOOST WHEELS, 305 Mickey T ATZs, LEVELED, EFI, DSP5, BLOCKED, REROUTE, 4" MBRP 2005 dmax cc (sold) 2002 dmax cc (sold)

01-06-2013, 09:26 PM	eBay Motors #3 (permalink)
stang233 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 310	10k toy hauler and its barely even noticeable behind me with the lmm __________________ 2007.5 Chevy 2500HD -- EFI Live by Kory Willis/DSP5 -- 4" MBRP turbo back w/ Muffler -- Diamond Eye Downpipe -- EGR Blocker Plate -- Nictane W/ Cat filter -- Edge Insight W/ EGT -- Firestone Riderite Bags -- 265/75/16 Duratrac W/ leveling kit

01-07-2013, 09:06 AM	eBay Motors #4 (permalink)
premis Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 545	If you tow a lot, get a dually. If this is a weekend thing or even a once a month thing and you use your truck as a daily driver, keep the SRW and buy a camper it can haul. With a SRW you should be able to safely tow upwards of 16,000 lbs. Just keep an eye on pin weight, toy hauler type trailers have heavy pin weights unloaded. __________________ 2005 Black Duramax Crew Cab Short Box Edge Juice w/Attitude - 4" straight pipe (shaved the muff and killed the kitty) with 5" tip - Blocked EGR - triple guage pod (Aux Fuel, Air Bags, Boost) - air bags w/compressor and 2 gallon air tank - train horn - tint (5 back/15 front) - custom grill - pace roll-top cover - 28 gallon aux fuel tank (gravity feed) - Pioneer AVIC-D3 in dash DVD/GPS/Bluetooth unit with XM Nav Traffic - metra on-star adaptor - PAC SWI-PS steering wheel remote interface - 2 10" MTX subs with Rockford amp - head rest monitors - passenger visor monitor - viper remote start - 07 mirrors (w/ DIY leveling) - DIY pre-OEM Cat fuel filter - boost stick - AEM Brute Force CAI - 20" black spoke KMC wheels mounted with 305x50x20's

01-07-2013, 09:14 AM	eBay Motors #5 (permalink)
nick1camper Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Eldon, Iowa Posts: 851	I totally agree with premis. __________________ 2005 ext cab sb LLY 4" exhaust w/muffler, EGR delete/Sinister diesel, Kodiak LBZ mouthpiece, PCV rerouted, Nicktane/CAT adapter, Autometer pyro & boost gauges, EFI Live by Kory, Transgo, pump rub kit, LBZ intake conv, H2's, Debadged

01-07-2013, 04:59 PM	eBay Motors #6 (permalink)
TexasRedNeck Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 154	I only put about 6K per year on my truck. My DD is a sedan. I need to check the GVWR on the sticker to see what I can haul. Mine is a 2500 so I'm sure it will be a bit lower. Oh, and I did drive a 2012 k3500 LTZ DRW today just to see how it drove and it drove reeeally nice. Nothing that 48K won't fix! Plus I'd take it in the shorts on my "new" 2001 K2500HD after just having a new CP3, AD165, Autometers, Calvin's built trans, and Kory Willis EFI with DSP instgalled. __________________ 2001 CCSB 6.0 Gas wtih 6 inch lift and 35s 2001 CCLWB Duramax with 12 inch lift and 37s & just added a Calvin's tranny with Kory Willis tuned EFI live and DSP5. Both red on charcoal http://i48.tinypic.com/30krtop.jpg

01-07-2013, 06:42 PM	eBay Motors #8 (permalink)
bubblebutt Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 689	35 footer with 2 kids , thats not camping, Just 4 of you, I would go a bit smaller and tow behind... and leave truck alone __________________ 2008 GMC Dually LMM 6" lift 285/75R17 "E" TOYO M/T Banks intake/DPFdelete with MBRP exhaust PPE Hot Race tuner / TransGo Jr. / Pillar gauges JVC - DVD/Nav system & Back up camera/2500w inverter/ 55w reverse lamps/Amber strobe lights X4 corners front hidden hitch/rear hitch/turn over ball 5th wheel hitch/custom grille DRW # 101

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